Chapter 127: The Xuanxue Restaurant Branch

Yun Xuan looked at Qin Yue, who had fallen asleep. What was going on?

"Qin Yue’s condition is special. Principal Qin Yun came over personally today to beg me to let Qin Yue stay at our house. As long as you are around, her condition can be alleviated," Yun Xun’er said as she walked up, standing beside Yun Xuan and whispering.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?" Yun Xuan asked with a wry smile.

"Brother, you can sleep in my room. I’ll sleep with my sister," Yun Xue said as she walked upstairs.

"Alright." Yun Xuan glanced at Qin Yue, turned off the lights, closed the door, and headed to Yun Xue’s room.

There was a faint fragrance in Yun Xue’s room, though he couldn't identify it. Yun Xuan pulled back the covers, but he found it difficult to fall asleep for a long time.

"Must not let my mind wander," he thought, glancing at the blue and white stripes by the bedside, his gaze drawn to them.

...

A night passed. Morning sunlight fell upon the quilt, and Yun Xuan sat up. After washing up, he went downstairs.

"Good morning," Qin Yue said softly, sitting at the dining table.

"Good morning. Xun’er, Xue’er, I’m heading to Japan for a few days to take care of some business. I’ll leave the house in your hands. If Qin Yue feels bored, she can go check out the Xuanxue Restaurant," Yun Xuan said as he sat down.

"Go ahead. Don’t get into any trouble, and stay safe," Yun Xun’er smiled.

"Brother, could you bring something back for me?" Yun Xue looked somewhat conflicted.

"Of course," Yun Xuan nodded.

After breakfast, Yun Xuan departed with Yun Xue’s notebook. This trip was not only to take control of Haku’s organization but also to have Sanjo Kamikawa help him secure 500,000 cans. As for the situation with Liu Mengyan, Yun Zhongxian had already visited the Liu family, and they had canceled the engagement without a word. The reason it wasn't held at the Qin residence was that Yun Xuan felt he was being watched; it would be easier once he left China. Yun Xuan wasn't a dangerous person, but because of Yun Zhongxian’s existence, he was being protected. If the Special Services team knew that the cans he had ordered were disappearing, what would they think?

Yun Xuan boarded his flight and headed for Japan.

...

Kae Horie felt extremely awkward. She was sitting next to this young man, and he was actually ignoring her to look out the window?

"Could it be that he recognized me and is pretending not to notice just to grab my attention?" she wondered, glancing at him from time to time. After waiting for a long time, Yun Xuan hadn't even turned his head to sneak a look. Kae parted her lips. She was a famous teen idol! How could he not recognize her? Everyone knew who she was!

Yun Xuan was staring out the window—or more accurately, at the documents on his virtual screen. Uzumaki Kushina had taught him some simple sealing techniques, which he had recorded and could review at any time.

"Sir, do you... not recognize me?" a girl’s voice came from beside him.

"Ding! A girl with an overall rating of eight has been detected."

"I don't," Yun Xuan glanced at the girl. He had no impression of her, though her voice felt vaguely familiar.

"Ugh..." Kae was speechless. There really were people who didn't know her.

"Is there something you need?" Yun Xuan asked.

"No... nothing..." Kae couldn't possibly admit that she had only spoken to him because he was ignoring her. Yun Xuan glanced at the strange girl, turned his head away, and went back to studying his sealing techniques. Kae almost burst into tears. She had been ignored again! She was an idol!

...

Shortly after 11:00 AM, the plane landed at Tokyo Airport. As soon as Yun Xuan stepped off the plane, he saw a surging crowd.

"Kae-chan!"
"Kae-chan!"
"Kae-chan!"

People holding banners and wearing strange outfits were shouting at the top of their lungs, and there were many reporters present as well.

"Yun Xuan-kun, over here, please. My grandfather sent me to pick you up," Sanjo Hiyori said as she spotted him and quickly walked to his side.

"Thank you for your trouble," Yun Xuan nodded, following her to a car.

"Let's go," Sanjo Hiyori said to the driver after closing the door.

Yun Xuan took out his phone and dialed Haku. "I’ve arrived. At one o’clock, come pick me up at the Gourmet Academy," Yun Xuan said directly.

"Understood," Haku replied from the other end.

"Is... is Hayama doing alright?" Sanjo Hiyori asked, looking down at Yun Xuan after he hung up.

"He's fine, I suppose. I haven't been to my shop lately," Yun Xuan pondered.

"Yun Xuan-kun, Hayama has great talent. If you teach him, it won't take long for him to become a three-star chef..." Sanjo Hiyori’s eyes were filled with worry.

"Are you afraid he'll come looking for you? Or are you planning to submit to your family's arranged marriage?" Yun Xuan was well-informed about her situation.

"Grandfather’s orders cannot be changed. As long as he can expand the Gourmet Academy, he will stop at nothing," she said, looking despondent. Arranged marriage was a fate no young lady in her position could escape.

"What if I were to persuade him?" Yun Xuan asked calmly.

"It’s impossible. Grandfather won't listen to anyone," she shook her head.

"If I succeed, what will you give me?" he continued.

"I..." Sanjo Hiyori was stunned. She couldn't think of anything to offer.

"I want you," Yun Xuan said seriously.

"Eh?" Her face flushed red. He was being so direct? The driver in front twitched his mouth, keeping his eyes fixed on the road.

"I need someone to manage the branch of Xuanxue Restaurant here in Japan. I will provide the techniques and the startup capital, and I will only take 30% of the annual revenue," Yun Xuan explained his idea. Opening a branch based on his original, improved recipes would attract many customers.

"That... that I can do," she said, her face still red. She had thought he meant something else entirely.

...

The car stopped at the Sanjo Kamikawa estate. Yun Xuan and Sanjo Hiyori entered, and she led him to the reception room. After serving tea, she excused herself.

"The items you requested are ready. There are 15 million units in total, already delivered to the Gourmet Academy warehouse," Sanjo Kamikawa said as he sipped his tea. He didn't bother asking why Yun Xuan needed the cans; it would be a foolish question.

"Thank you. Regarding Sanjo Hiyori’s marriage, I hope it can be canceled. I will offer an original recipe, and she will be given 70% of the annual revenue from the Xuanxue Restaurant branch, with all capital and technology provided by me," Yun Xuan said after a moment's hesitation.

"Very well," Sanjo Kamikawa replied after a brief silence, nodding. He was now certain that Yun Xuan had obtained long-lost recipes.

"I have other business, so I’ll be leaving. As for the goods, people from the Hidden Mist will come to collect them. You should know them," Yun Xuan said, standing up after finishing his tea.

"I understand," a flash of surprise crossed Sanjo Kamikawa’s eyes. The Hidden Mist—Haku’s organization—wielded immense power in Japan.